Friday, April 5, 2013

A truth process for all

Drumboe was cold but the welcome was warm. This year the powers that be
had decided I would be the main speaker at the Drumboe commemoration in County
Donegal. People were glad to see me and I them.

The surrounding mountain peaks had coverings of snow but unlike Belfast
there was none on the roads or footpaths. But it was bitterly cold. It had a
sharpness that cut to the bone and left ears numb.

The Drumboe commemoration is held each Easter at the republican
memorial to the IRA volunteers of County Donegal who from every generation have
fallen in pursuit of freedom and sovereignty. The Celtic Cross and the small
plot that holds it, can be found at the end of the main street of Stranorlar,
just before you cross the arched bridge that brings the traveller from the
north side of the River Finn, to Ballybofey on the south side.

Stranorlar was among the first garrison towns in Ulster in the 16th
century built after the plantation. Even today there are no schools or churches
in Ballybofey - they are all in Stranorlar – a hangover from those days and the
penal laws.

The proximity of the twin towns to west Tyrone and the closeness of the
communities that live on either side of the border also means that all of those
republicans on the rolls of honour and remembrance for Donegal and west Tyrone
are remembered each year at the Drumboe Easter Commemoration.

This year holds a particular significance because it marks the 90th
anniversary of the four Drumboe martyrs - four
IRA fighters, Charlie Daly, Sean Larkin, Daniel Enwright, and Timothy O'
Sullivan who were captured and held in the nearby Drumboe castle from January
1923 until they were executed by Free State forces on March 14th
1923.

The Tan War against British forces was deadly and vicious, but the civil
war left a bitterness and a political legacy that still shapes politics in the
Irish state to this day. The civil war turned brother against brother, and
neighbour against neighbour. The four who were shot by firing squad at Drumboe
were among 77 republicans executed during those terrible years by the Free
State.

There was never any process of truth recovery or reconciliation put in
place after those catastrophic events. We should learn from that mistake.

During the recent conflict others died in the south as a consequence of
the conflict. Tom Smyth, a republican prisoner, was killed in Portlaoise prison
and Hugh Hehir was shot dead in County Clare. During the era of the heavy gang
many citizens were brutally assaulted. Beatings were also common place within
the prison systems. And there was collusion between elements of the Irish
Defence Forces and the British forces in the north. We remember the death of Donegal
Councillor Eddie Fullerton and others.

But it is important that Republicans also acknowledge that we too inflicted
great hurt. Members of the defence forces, including An Garda Síochána were
killed by republicans. These matters need to be faced up to. Sinn Féin believes
that the best means of addressing these matters is through the establishment of
an Independent International Truth Commission.

The two governments’, former combatants and those in leadership across
Ireland and Britain need to part of such a process. There can be no hierarchy
of victims. The people of this island need a genuine process of national
reconciliation. I am prepared to meet with victims’ families and others as part of this.

There is a need for a healing process so that we can all go forward in
a united and harmonious way looking after victims, and victim’s families and
survivors is a significant and important part of this.

The proclamation of 1916, which is the mission statement of Irish
republicans, is explicit in its anti-sectarianism. This is important as
republicans seek to address at what is the start of the north’s orange marching
season, the controversy over flags and emblems.

Unionist leaders have to face up to the reality that the old ways and
the old days are gone. The vast majority of citizens want to live in a fair society
based upon equality and Sinn Féin is committed to bring that this about. This
means being prepared to enter into a rationale and informed debate with those
who represent disadvantaged unionist communities about the difficulties they
face every day and to vigorously challenge sectarianism and segregation and
inequality.

Irish republicans are absolutely
committed to the principles of equality and parity of esteem, and mutual
respect contained in the Proclamation and in the Good Friday Agreement.

The tiny minorities on all sides who espouse
violence must be rejected. They are stuck in the past while all around them Ireland
north and south is changing. Their
actions will not destroy the peace process, or the efforts to create a new
republic, but they can destroy lives, including those held in the prisons. The
British government also cannot evade its responsibility in this respect. The
continued imprisonment of Marian Price and Martin Corey is unacceptable. They
should be released.